Jacob Tucker, that 5'10" dunking machine that went from youtube sensation to ESPN’s dunk contest last season, has officially become a member of the Harlem Globetrotters. Tucker’s nickname will be hops, which seems fitting.
Its a pretty incredible story and goes to show you the power of the internet and social media. If it wasn’t for Tucker’s video going viral, getting his face on shows like ESPN’s Sportsnation and his link getting spread all over twitter, who knows what he would be doing right now. I’m not sure it would be dunking for a living.
But if you’re a real college hoops die-hard, Tucker’s name certainly isn’t the only one you’ll recognize on the Globetrotters roster.
For starters, there’s John Williams, the forward from UNC-Asheville that was robbed in the final of last year’s dunk contest. His nickname is Jet, which is a shame because he already had a nickname. Former Cincinnati player Darnell Wilks and Sergio McClain are on the team, as is Willie Shaw, a product of St. John’s.
But the name every hoops fan has to know is Anthony Atkinson, known as Ant to his Globetrotter teammates. Atkinson was the point guard for Division II’s Barton College when they made one of the most impressive comebacks in NCAA history back in the 2007 title game. Atkinson sparked a 10-1 run in the final 40 seconds to erase a seven-point deficit.
Rob Dauster is the editor of the college basketball website Ballin’ is a Habit. You can find him on twitter @ballinisahabit.